Glacial collapse, ice-rock avalanche triggered Nepal disaster: Scientists

KATHMANDU, Aug 27: Scientists are examining how a glacial collapse and ice-rock avalanche may have triggered the flash floods along Nepal’s Bhote Koshi, with early assessments pointing to debris that briefly blocked the Lhende River, formed a landslide dam and then gave way. The flood tore down the Bhote Koshi in Rasuwa district on Wednesday, killing hundreds, wrecking bridges and other infrastructure and spreading havoc through several districts downstream of the Rasuwagadhi border crossing. Early speculation after the sudden surge included a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) as well as an avalanche. Scientists studying satellite images no…